Chapter 9 - RICHARD'S DEFENSE
Richard did not deny the payroll records.
He argued Emily had worked for the company informally.
Errands.
Administrative help.
Occasional supply pickup.
Advice.
Emily admitted helping sometimes.
At nineteen, she typed invoices for two weekends.
At twenty, she helped with a spreadsheet.
At twenty-two, she delivered parts once.
Richard called that:
employment.
His attorney argued family businesses often operate informally.
True.
Then:
salary.
Did Emily receive $68,000?
No.
Richard said compensation was “credited against household support.”
Rent.
Food.
Utilities.
That was clever.
He claimed the household carried Emily while she contributed labor.
Therefore payroll accounting reflected internal economic value.
Then Lewis asked:
“Did Emily know she was earning $68,000?”
Richard said:
“She knew she contributed.”
Not answer.
“Did she approve the disability policy?”
“She benefited from it.”
Not answer.
“Did she sign the guaranty?”
Richard paused.
“I had authority.”
“Written?”
No.
There.
May you like
The defense could make family labor messy.
It could not create signatures.
